PHOENIX, Ariz— The LIU Brooklyn women's basketball team fell in its opening contest at the GCU Thanksgiving Classic to UC Irvine, 84-71 on Friday afternoon at GCU Arena. The Blackbirds hung tight with the undefeated Anteaters but were unable to fend off a late fourth quarter surge in the neutral site matchup. 

LIU recorded four double-digit scorers for the first time this season on Friday afternoon. Sophomore Jeydah Johnson tallied a game & season-high 22 points to lead the Blackbirds. Freshman Brandy Thomas continued her standout play with a career-high 19 points and 16 rebounds. Sophomore Ella Vaatanen added 11 points and freshman Camille Gray contributed 10 points for LIU.

The Blackbirds stormed out of the gate strong with a 9-4 opening stretch led by four points from Thomas as the game went into the first media timeout. A triple from Johnson with 3:12 remaining in the opening quarter gave the Blackbirds eight-point advantage at 14-6. UC Irvine would fine some footing offensively to cut the LIU lead down to an 18-12 advantage into the quarter break.

UC Irvine tied things up early in the second quarter at 20-20 before back-and-fourth action would ensue for the next few minutes. The Anteaters eventually built up a 37-30 advantage at the 4:02 mark in the quarter but LIU closed the half strong with a 6-1 run capped by a three from Johnson to bring the score to 38-36 at the half.

The Anteaters kept distance to open the third stanza building up a five point advantage at 43-38. LIU sparked together a five point run on a three from Johnson and layup from Thomas to tie it up at 43 all. Momentum continued to for LIU shortly after as a left wing three from freshman Ryan Weise gave the Blackbirds the lead 46-45 at 5:26 in the period.  UC Irvine regained the lead shortly after as LIU continued to hang around, holding a slight 59-56 lead into the final period.

LIU made the first strike in the fourth as another three from Johnson tied the game up at 59-59 in the opening minute. The Anteaters would embark on an 11-0 run shortly after to take control of the game with a 71-60 advantage. The distance would stay the remainder of the game as UC Irvine took the neutral site matchup, 84-71.

Up next, The Blackbirds close out the trip out west and four-game road swing tomorrow afternoon with a matchup against tournament host, Grand Canyon University. Opening tip is set for 4:00 p.m. eastern. 

Notes from the Nest

• The last time LIU had four scorers in double-digits was back on December 10, 2017 in a 72-69 win over Lehigh at the Barclay's Center.
• Johnson's 22 points is a new team-high for the season. She added eight rebounds and a team-high five assists.
• Thomas posted career-highs in scoring (19 points) and rebounds (16 boards) for her fifth straight double-double.
• Vaatanen's 11 points were a new career-high and first time reaching double-digits.
• Gray also reached double-digits with 10 points to go along with a career-high four assists.
• LIU outrebounded UC Irvine 42-37 on the afternoon.
• The Blackbirds shot a season-high 40% from the field and 32% from three.